While space and geography is considered an important factor, the role of places in processes related to organisation and innovation remain little understood. This line of research, at the intersection of organisation theory and economic geography, aims to explore these phenomena at the micro level (that of buildings, e.g. cultural venues, hangouts) and the meso level (a combination of places in a given city-region).
Related projects :
Capron, Etienne, & Delacour, Hélène (2024). Field-Configuring Places: Unpacking the role of place in field evolution. Organization Studies, 45(11), 1669–1696. https://doi.org/10.1177/01708406241280010
Capron, E. & Suire, R., (2024). From one place or another – place attendance as resources for innovators. M@n@gement. 27(5), 82–99. https://doi.org/10.37725/mgmt.2024.9048
Capron, E. & Suire, R. (2025) Revealing preferential circulations - How the uses of places serve localized entrepreneurs’ capabilities. Journal of Economic Geography. 25(4), 469-485. https://doi.org/10.1093/jeg/lbae048
While the regional scale is often a good level for analyzing the processes of innovation and socio-economic transitions, we still need to understand how the social, spatial and economic dimensions intermingle. This line of research aims to gain a better understanding of local and extra-local dynamics, and how small-scale settings (e.g., events, places) participate to structure local transitions.
Related projects :
Capron, E. et al., (2022) Anatomy of a techno-creative community – the role of brokers, places, and events in the emergence of projection mapping in Nantes. European Planning Studies, 30(9), 1755–1776. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09654313.2021.1959901
Capron, E. et al., How new activities emerge in regions: (re)examining the role of events and places. Under review
Capron, E., Denos, G & Guérineau, M. Cooking for transitioning : a study of social restaurants scaling. Working paper
Stigmatized industries and contested innovations often face resistance because they are new or go against moral standards. In some cases, the geographical context may facilitate or hinder their acceptance. This line of research explores the role played by different actors and spaces in destigmatization process.
Related projects :
Capron, E. & Tellier, A. From a game of chance to a game of skill: An historical study of the destigmatisation process of the pinball industry. Working paper
Capron, E. & Tellier, A. World capital of crime and arcade games - how regions foster the development of stigmatised industries stigmatised industries. Working paper